Zeil: “An encouraging signal for Bavaria’s future supply of energy”

MUNICH Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Martin Zeil welcomes the decision of the Finnish paper manufacturer UPM to build a new gas-fired power plant with combined heat and power at its Schongau plant. “UPM’s investment decision is an encouraging signal not only for Bavaria as a top business location, but also for the future of energy supplies in Bavaria”, Zeil said, commenting on the announcement from the Group’s head office in Helsinki.

The investment was very gratifying on three counts, the Economics Minister continued. “Firstly, hardly any form of electricity production achieves such a high level of efficiency as the industrial cogeneration of heat and power – a clear plus-point for climate protection. Secondly, the development of gas-powered generation of electricity is a very important contribution towards ensuring the success of the energy turnaround in Bavaria and maintaining power supplies for industry without the use of nuclear energy. And thirdly, this decision by UPM shows that the company is giving its full backing to the production site in Schongau on a long-term basis”, explained Zeil.

The Economics Minister is convinced that UPM’s decision will serve as a role model for the energy-intensive industry in Bavaria. “For our industry, efficient domestic production with combined heat and power is the instrument of choice for securing safe supplies of power and affordable energy prices in the long term”, Zeil underscored.

Source: STMWIVT

Pressnumber: 49/12